Rabbi Tarfon and the Elders were reclining in the loft of the house of Nit’za in Lod, this question
was asked of them: Is study greater or is action greater?
Rabbi Tarfon answered and said: Action is greater.
Rabbi Akiva answered and said: Study is greater.
Everyone answered and said: Study is greater, as study leads to action.
תַּלְמּוד גָּדֹול , שֶׁהַּתַּלְמּוד מֵבִיא לִידֵי מַּעֲשֶׁה.
–B. Kidushin 40b
RRC students experience intentional synergies between coursework and fieldwork. Even as classes in Jewish studies and practical rabbinics prepare students for their internships, experiences in the field enrich and enliven studies within the classroom. Through their internships, RRC students gain valuable experience and make an impact on the Jewish and wider world before graduating.
The William H. Fern Program in Field Education offers paid internships in a range of rabbinic settings, including congregations, college campuses, hospitals and nonprofit organizations of all kinds. RRC faculty and administrators have their fingers on the pulse of the rabbinate and seek to expand work opportunities as new professional trends emerge. Faculty work with students to explore rabbinic opportunities and help them discern their own paths.
Rabbi Rayna Grossman (RRC ’17), Director of Field Education, touts the flexibility RRC’s internship opportunities.
Throughout the course of study, students balance classroom learning with on-the-job training. In the final two years of the program, students engage in immersive internships of approximately 15–25 hours per week, gaining substantial professional experience while continuing their academic studies. These internships offer opportunities to develop practical rabbinic skills such as ritual and service leadership, pastoral care, Jewish education, communication and community building, while also providing exposure to the behind-the-scenes work of rabbinic leadership, from staff and board meetings to organizational planning and decision-making. Students are supported by weekly on-site supervision and RRC coursework and can attend classes remotely, enabling geographic flexibility.
Group and individual supervision enable students to reflect on and learn from their field experience. Mentors and peers facilitate students’ reflections on the theological, professional and personal aspects of their work.
Selected Recent Internships
Congregational Internships
In congregational internships, students experience the day-to-day rhythm of the congregational rabbinate and learn how to lead flourishing communities. Students play meaningful roles leading services, offering pastoral care, and creating programming.
Sample of recent internships:
- Am Haskalah, Bethlehem, Pa.
- CBST Congregation Beit Simchat Torah, New York, N.Y.
- Germantown Jewish Centre, Philadelphia, Pa.
- Kehilat HaNahar, New Hope, Pa.
- Kol Tzedek, Philadelphia, Pa.
- Kolot Chayenu, Brooklyn, N.Y.
- Mishkan Shalom, Philadelphia, Pa.
- Malkhut, Astoria, N.Y.
- Nahalat Shalom, Albuquerque, N.M.
- Havurah Shalom, Portland, Ore.
- Ohev Shalom, Wallingford, Pa.
- Mishkan Ha’am, Hastings-On-Hudson, N.Y.
- Hill Havurah, Washington, D.C.
Campus Internships
Campus interns build expertise in engaging students, fostering Jewish presence on campus, developing leaders and strengthening Jewish student identity. Among their many experiences, students with campus Internships facilitate Jewish learning, plan and oversee programing, act as a pastoral presence and lead social justice organizing.
Sample of recent internships:
- Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pa.
- Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, Pa.
- West Chester University, West Chester, Pa.
- Haverford College, Havertown, Pa.
- University of Delaware, Newark, Del.
- Temple University, Philadelphia, Pa.
Chaplaincy Internships
In chaplaincy internships, students learn to provide pastoral care for a wide range of populations. Some students serve in traditional chaplaincy settings such as hospitals and senior living communities. Increasingly, community organizations also look for Jewish chaplains who can tend to their staff and memberships as well as to the populations they serve.
Sample of recent Chaplaincy internships:
- Lions Gate Retirement Center, Voorhees, N.J.
- Springpoint Living at Manalapan, Manalapan, N.J.
Clinical Pastoral Education
Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) is an interfaith professional education program that guides seminary students and faith leaders into supervised pastoral service. Utilizing individual and group supervision alongside intentional and intensive group feedback practices, instruction, and processing, students expand their self-awareness and come to a better understanding of how they can meet the spiritual needs of the people they serve. The interdisciplinary framework helps students develop their skills in multifaith engagement as well. All RRC students are required to complete one unit of CPE through an ACPE accredited program and are given course credit for its completion.
Rabbinical student Anne Prusky on why RRC’s approach to CPE training drew her to the college.
Sample of recent CPE sites:
- Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia
- Jewish Theological Seminary, New York, N.Y.
- Lankenau Medical Center, Wynnewood, Pa.
- CHOP, Philadelphia
- San Francisco Night Ministry, San Francisco, Calif.
Organizational Internships
Interns at Jewish community organizations plan and implement programming and education, engage in community organizing and provide spiritual support for activists. At the same time, they observe and experience firsthand the many facets of non-profit leadership.
Sample of recent internships:
- Dayenu (remote)
- Tribe 12, Philadelphia, Pa.
- Interfaith Philadelphia (Interfaith community work for in Philly)
- Never Again Action (Social Justice – remote)
- Poor Peoples Campaign Faith Leaders team (Philadelphia)
- Bruchim (Remote)
Educational/Camp Internships
In education internships, students lead religious school or adult education classes and tutor b’nei mitzvah students. Frequently, our students serve as synagogue education directors, provide family education or oversee children’s services. In summer camp settings, students play an integral part in cultivating intentional, creative and joyful communities – leading services, planning activities and serving as a pastoral presence.
Sample of recent internships:
- Beth David Reform Congregation, Gladwyne, Pa.
- Germantown Jewish Centre, Philadelphia, Pa.
- Beth Tikvah B’nai Jeshurun, Erdenheim, Pa.
- Ohev Shalom, Wallingford, Pa.
- Kol Tzedek, Philadelphia Pa.
- Camp Havaya, South Sterling, Pa.
- Ramah Day Camp, Melrose Park, Pa.
